Nikon D5300 Flash Limitations

Shadow

Hi Everyone,

I have been studying lighting techniques in my free time while I wait to buy my first DSLR, a Nikon D5300 (I plan to wait and see if there are any deals for Black Friday or Cyber Monday). I have come across several articles that mention the D5300 lacks high-speed-sync (Auto FP Flash, AFP) and external flash control with the built-in flash.

I don't think the external flash control is a huge deal, since I can use a radio-unit if I needed to. However, the lack of AFP seems limiting. While I don't anticipate taking too many action shots, I was planning experiment with shooting a portrait outdoors during the day, and using a large aperature to blur the background. This might require shooting at a higher speed than the camera's 1/200th sec. maximum sync speed.

Do you have any suggestions on getting around this problem? Would mounting a neutral density filter do the trick? Does the radio control unit add HSS functionality even though the body doesn't support it?

Many thanks!

Bryen

tcole1983

The camera will adjust the settings as to not over expose the pictures using the flash as a fill outside. I just shot a wedding with a flash outside and it wasn't a problem...using a D5000 and D5200. I know more will have additional input on this.

Pistnbroke

Tcole ...I just shot a wedding ...its winter and "dark" My experience before I learned the detail of FP was that if I had my min speed set at 1/60 and flash speed at 1/60 then if I forgot to turn my flash off it was a total white out as the shots were locked at 1/60 F8 when I turned on the flash rather than say 1/2000 at F8 . Engaging the FP320 ensures this does not happen fill flash works etc ( will not work with SB400)

Another point for the OP is that if you are using auto iso say 100-6400 and you turn on the flash the iso goes to 400 if its dark and the flash has enough power ..ie most indoor shots. It stays at 100 outside and goes up when not enough power is available ..this in not in the manual and I dont know if it works on lower models certainly not on the D3200.
And new 7100 on the way wait and get a 7100 whole different game to the 5300 . YN 622N for flash control ..fantastic and cheap

tcole1983

I don't know enough about it to comment more. Using an sb600 it worked fine. I have experienced the totally blown out pictures you talk about with the 1/60.

Pistnbroke

I appreciate your honest comment Tcole 1983 ,,,I wish others were so polite and straight forward,

tcole1983

Honestly I never use a flash. I went into the wedding only having used the sb400. It was very much learning as I went and I was doing pictures with it both on and off to try different things. I don't understand what was actually happening though and how the camera reacts to the different situations and using the flash. I know I got decent results using it both indoors and out.

I was hoping someone would reply about the use of the high speed sync because I have no idea why you would use it....stop motion like a hummingbird?

spraynpray

I was hoping someone would reply about the use of the high speed sync because I have no idea why you would use it....stop motion like a hummingbird?

Daylight fill is the most common use.

Pistnbroke

FP 1/320....whats it all about ..Well I am bad at forgetting to turn my flash of outside so if you have flash at 1/60 but you should be at say 1/1250 outside then its sticks at 1/60 and it all burns out ...
With FP1/320 you do not get the burn out as the shutter speed can move up and the flash still functions for fill flash as spraynpray said .. BUT IT WONT WORK WITH A SB400 ...That does not support Flash Programme.fully stops at 1/320 while other guns go right up to max shutter speed.
Works with other Nikon guns and all my Meike and YN guns listed below